NEW KENSINGTON, Pa.  U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials will answer questions about recent amendments to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) at a town hall meeting April 13 at the Clarion Hotel Conference Center in New Kensington, Pa.

Claimants may now be eligible for compensation even if they worked outside the period of weapons-related production originally covered under Part B of the act. Recent EEOICPA amendments expand coverage under Part B to claimants who worked at certain facilities identified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as having potential for the existence of significant residual radiation contamination. Information will be provided on reopening cases originally denied under Part B based on employment dates now considered covered under the new program amendments.

Workers who need assistance filling out claim forms may schedule appointments following the town hall meeting or may call toll-free, (866) 363-6993.

Over the past four years, DOL has issued in excess of $1 billion in compensation and medical payments to over 13,500 claimants. Part B provides a lump sum payment of $150,000 and medical expenses to current and former DOE employees who became ill as a result of their exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica. DOE contractor employees, and certain survivors, are also potentially eligible. Covered conditions include radiogenic cancers, beryllium diseases and chronic silicosis. Qualified survivors of deceased covered employees may also be eligible for the lump sum compensation of $150,000.